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BRUTAL Medieval Flail In Action

Tod's Workshop

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Flails were part of every day life in agricultural medieval Europe, but military flails were also very much present and although we see them loads in contemporary media history we also kind of think they were a bit made up.......

Spoiler - they were not.

This episode of Weird Weapons features Matt Easton as ever and a single handed three chain flail and we get to see quite how awesomely nasty it is and it even managed to draw blood on Matt.

Watch on to witness melon carnage.

Weird Weapons is a simple format; I know how to make the weapons and Matt knows how to use them.

Check out the plans to build your own flail here: https://todsworkshop.com/?post_type=p...

For amazing budget historical weapons and custom commissions. https://todsworkshop.com

Second Tod Cutler channel @tod_cutler

We have a Patreon page and if you liked this and wish to support the channel please consider having a look at that Patreon: TodsWorkshop

Schola Gladiatoria (Matt Easton) can be found here / @scholagladiatoria

Check out this amazing paper on flails https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/...

You can find Drachinifel here drachinifel

20 Comments

@AbenZin1 2 months ago

"They're not fantasy." - shows artwork of a knight riding a chicken

@Brezel-the-melee-guy 2 months ago (edited)

0:43 "they were real!" shows knight riding a big chicken

@gundalfthelost1624 2 months ago

Saw a gentleman at the Visby Medieval Week many years ago use flail to keep two fully armored opponents away from himself, it had solid rubber weights but it still hit with authority and even knocked the axe away from one of them. What really got my attention was the speed. He never stopped moving, could barely see the flails whipping through the air. Nasty little weapon.

@RobSouthpaw 2 months ago

3:10 "That, Constable? Oh that's just a lanyard for my truncheon."

@llamatronian101 2 months ago

It's funny how "it would be cool to ride a giant chicken" is a universal truth

@vinceblasco 2 months ago

It would be cool to put a rack of pork ribs under the mail (in the plastic to simulate fascia, etc) and see what kind of blunt force trauma these flails inflict even through the mail.

@ilcattivo13 2 months ago

Whenever I hear that Tod and Drach are in the same place, I start to wonder whether a series called ‘Heavy bolts and stones vs. ships’ might turn up at some point...
Greets from Suwałki megapolis!

@6thmichcav262 2 months ago

A flail is a very short range rock sling that doesn’t have to be reloaded.

@Alatok 2 months ago

"The giggling in the back is our guest Drach" Of course Drach would be the one giggling madly

@jaredmills06 2 months ago

Don't forget also, that even if the flail does bounce back and hit your hand it is not hitting with the same force of the initial impact.

The force of reflection is less than the initial impact force. Assuredly still risky with unprotected hands, but with some form of gauntlet there is likely no risk to the user.

@Greg_Edmand 2 months ago

I vivid example of where the medical term "Flailed Chest" came from.

@MercutioUK2006 2 months ago

I see Tod, and I see Flail.

Here I am, clicking.

@lastwill3557 2 months ago (edited)

Very put into perspective to imagine that we are reenacting and testing how weapons who brought death, injuries and made cripples were actually used with such fascination and enthusiasm, when you think about it.😂

@blockboygames5956 2 months ago

Fascinating... and brutal... as always. :)

@kevintessier3760 2 months ago

The one thing I'm wondering now is if the three chain flails are partially made that way as a form of redundancy. With repurposed chain, less experienced blacksmiths, inconsistent metallurgy, and a lot of abuse in the heat of battle, maybe one reason they have three chains is so that if one chain breaks, you still have a functioning weapon.

@Nilewhite411 2 months ago

Imagine riding your donkey to town for fresh bread feeling safe with your flail. In case you must brain someone for your pumpernickel.

@-Warcrime- 2 months ago

The shape of the ends are... um... interesting looking

@cazmarius3442 2 months ago

This has been a great series seeing Matt test the odder end of things.

@artholI 2 months ago (edited)

3:34 Matt: "But in all honesty, if you use them in the correct way, it tends not to come back towards the shaft anyway."
7:16 Also Matt: "I tell you that hit my hand." 😀